As we all know, Los Angeles isn’t exactly the most commuter-friendly city. The bus system can be difficult to decipher, the road conditions are a wasteland of flat-tire, pot-hole laden traps and the subway just doesn’t go the extra mile. But, the warm weather months are perfect for swapping your four-wheeled transportation for the two-wheels of a bicycle. Granted if you live in the valley and work on the West side, this isn’t gonna be your go-to method of daily transport, but a jaunt up to the local bar or grocery store can be a perfect opp to get your peddle on.

Get Wheels

Ditch 4 wheels and try 2.

If you are in the market for a bicycle, you should first know the various types of rides and what would suit your road warrior needs best. Beach cruisers, while adorable, are really best for relatively short, flat stretches of land. Their wide tires are perfect for the busy, sandy boardwalks that line coastal cities such as Santa Monica, Malibu and Venice. The downfall of these comfy cruisers is that they are big, heavy and often do not have gears. This doesn’t hinder your Venice Beach pub crawl, but it would be a painful trek on the side of PCH.

If you need more flexibility from your wheels, but can still tackle the seaside communities, you may want to look into a hybrid. Hybrids are great commuter bikes that are relatively comfortable, have gears and are generally an all purpose bike. Many variations exist from those meant for the mountains, the street and even racing.

Finally, if you are taking mostly streets with bike lanes or plan a more extended commute, a road bike would suit your needs. Road bikes come in a huge variety, including the popular fixed gears. These bikes are light, built for speed and long distance. Picture Lance Armstrong…this is how he rolls.

Our recommendations for new bike shops would be Helen’s Cycles, Performance Bike Shop, Bike Attack and Bikecology. Yet, you can always get the knowledge from a pro at one of these establishments (or the interweb) and take to your own search on Craigslist or the classifieds. This Survivor suggests checking out HB Bike Shop. It’s a bit of a trek down to Huntington, but you can save some dough by purchasing a restored old road bike. With a little love and tenderness, you wheel her back to glory. Thus, you’ll need to get some know-how on bike maintenance.

Get Skills

Throughout Los Angeles there are a few shops that are run by volunteers where they will teach you how to make repairs and adjustments to your ride. They have the tools and the knowledge ready and waiting to aid you on your biking dilemma. Usually a small fee is requested for their service in the area of $5 to $10, but it’s a steal for the understanding you gain. A few such places are Bike Oven for the downtown sect, Bikerowave for the Westsiders and Bicycle Kitchen located just off Melrose.

Get Involved

Once you get your ride set up, and you are on the open road, if you want to join other

Group rides are great for meeting new people.

like-minded bikers, many group rides exist and are usually open to new members. If you’ve even been stuck in your car behind a wall of bike riders, that was probably the Los Angeles Critical Mass (or Santa Monica). A rowdier bunch, the Midnight Ridazz, have rides which include bar crawls and are typically an evening festivity. More rides pop up often, and are pretty easy to find once you get involved. Get to know the regulars, and they will keep you in the loop. Or, check out the facebook page of Critical Mass and start a conversation on their wall. You will get answers.

And final thought – While riding your bike is good for your body, your air and your city, you must also remember you are on a bike in Los Angeles. Drivers have been sitting in traffic for hours and often don’t have the patience to wait for you to make it through a yellow light. Pay attention to cars, and make sure to get proper protective equipment. Sure, helmets make you look a little ridic, but they will also save you a*s in a spill. For wheel. – Lori Bartlett

Not being a native to San Francisco has made me constantly treat this city like I am on vacation. There are so many things to do and see that it is easy to be a perpetual tourist in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. However, on the other hand, there are a million tourists with the same idea. So, Los Angelinos, here are my local’s, day and night must-do’s if you are coming to the City By the Bay.

Day!:

The Farmer’s Market at The Ferry Building:

This is by far my most favorite thing to do in the city. The market is open Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and is a flavor explosion to all of your senses. You can walk around and sample everything from seasonal fruits and veggies to artisan cheeses, breads and jams. One thing not to pass up is the Primavera Tamale Stand…get the chilaquiles and a cup of coffee from Blue Bottle Coffee. That, my friends is the breakfast of champions (and the best hangover cure ever). If you have two hours to kill, grab a round trip ferry ticket to Sausalito, but don’t get off the ferry. This will give  you the best views of the city, the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz.

The infamous Alcatraz.

Don’t worry, there is a bar on the ferry, so, grab a beer and take in the views while you text all of your friends that you are “on a boat”.

Fisherman’s Wharf and North Beach:

I know what you are thinking…Yes, this is the belly of the beast as far as tourist traps in San Francisco go, but hear me out. Go specifically just to grab a crab and chowder from a stand. After said food is obtained, immediately walk to Washington Square in North Beach and enjoy the people watching and the best weather in the city, under the shadows of Saints Peter and Paul Church. While in North Beach, stop and have a drink at Northstar Cafe. The John Daly is a delicious choice. Or if you are looking to get your cardio on, climb the steps to Coit Tower.  The views up there are second to none.

Delores Park:

Performers abound in SF.

If you are in the mood for some flopping around in a park and people watching, go buy a six-pack and picnic fixin’s from Bi-Rite Market and then head to Delores Park. If you are lucky, you will be able to see tight rope walkers, a drum circle and be able to join in an impromptu dance party. This is definitely something that is quintessential to San Francisco, and is a very enjoyable time.

The Marina:
I highly recommend having brunch at Circa. How can you go wrong with bottomless mimosas? The one thing I do caution you in, is doing brunch at Circa the same day you fly back. Between the mimosas, great food and fun atmosphere, many flights have been missed, changed, or cancelled all together. After brunch, take in some of the boutiques in the neighborhood. This neighborhood has some of my favorite shopping in the city. I suggest Meggie, Marmalade, and Red Dot. All of those shops have a great selection in price ranges and labels.

Night!:

The Mission:
I really love hanging out in The Mission. There are bars and restaurants on every corner. One of my favorite things to do there is grab tapas at Esperpento or pizza at Delfina and then head over to the Elbo Room for some dancing into the wee hours of the night. Elbo Room is a lounge meets, dive bar, with fun music. Definitely a place I frequent.

Financial District/SOMA:
If you are staying near Union Square and not wanting to get too far from your hotel, I suggest getting out of that central area and checking out what the Financial District and SOMA have to offer. One place that I really like eating at is Wayfare Tavern. Yes, it’s owned and operated by Tyler Florence, yes there is a lot of hype, but I promise you, that it actually lives up to it. For something to do after dinner, make a reservation at Bourbon & Branch. This is a reservation only speakeasy that you need a password to get into. Not only are the drinks amazing (the cucumber gimlet is my favorite), but its a very fun and unique experience. If you want to do something a little more low key, head to Zero Zero for pizza (save room for the build your own sundae) and then check out the Bloodhound for their plethora of classic cocktails.

Nob Hill/Polk Street:

One thing that you must have if you come to SF is cioppino. We are known for it!

MMM...cioppino.

The best cioppino I have ever had in the city was at the Hyde Street Seafood House and Raw Bar. Definitely also get the daily special oysters while you are there. After dinner, head down to Polk street and walk North (do NOT walk South, or you will have an entirely different experience all together). There are a ton of dive bars on Polk Street all of which are fun, but nothing beats the shot of jack and PBR for $5 you can get at Hemlock. If Mexican food is on your agenda, try Nick’s Crispy Taco. The food and drinks there are fabulous.

I hope that you all have a wonderful time when visiting Frisco. Don’t hesitate to ask people for suggestions on where to go and what to do. I have learned that there is nothing that San Franciscans love to do more than tell others what their favorite things to do in our beloved city are. – Angie Paglino

Angie is the beauty and brains behind the fabulous fashion blog, The Hotness Your Momma Warned You About. Check out her blog, and say “hi” from STC.

The idea for Art Bazaar was born outside Sheddy’s Public Parlor on Fairfax Avenue nearly a year ago.

I was gearing-up to shoot a short film that summer, as well as, a music video for singer/songwriter Zach Laliberte. During budget discussions over beers at Sheddy’s, our friend Chris Bonno – a talented comic and painter who was appearing in the music video – suggested a fundraiser loft party.

“Have music, a couple comics, charge five bucks at the door,” he said.

Zach Laliberte playing at Art Bazaar. - Photo by Sharrel Paul

I put the word out to my artist friends and scheduled the fundraiser for July. It ended up taking place at Sheddy’s, where we also shot the short film and part of the music video.  Jim Sheddy is a good friend of mine and enthusiastic about supporting the arts in Los Angeles (i.e., giving us the space for free!) Many of my friends volunteered to donate their talents for the evening of entertainment. Some pulled double duty: Chris performed a stand-up set, as well as, donating paintings for the silent auction; Buck Ball performed solo stand-up and two-man improv with James Heaney; and Noah Ramsey-Smith performed with two of his bands, Rough Duchess and Watchdog. Zach played several songs before we screened teasers for the short film and his music video.

Zach, Chris and I lived in the same neighborhood at the time, and we’d host frequent art parties, listening to music and painting collaborative canvases. It occurred to us that we could bring this creative party vibe to the Art Bazaar show and it would become a new thing entirely.

We held another event at Sheddy’s in mid-September and added a new element:

Brian Rodriguez performing stand-up. - Photo by Sharrel Paul

Collaborative painting. Chris brought in a blank canvas and we set it up at the front of the bar for people to paint on throughout the night. That night featured impromptu stand-up by our friend Hal Sparks, as well as, a couple of other people who were inspired to jump up to the mic. The synergy and collective excitement was tangible. We all sensed we had something here and started planning the next one.

The space, however, presented us with a problem. Sheddy’s is a narrow, curtain-draped bar that looks like it belongs somewhere in Europe. It’s beautiful, but our only performance area was the front corner; visibility for the audience was limited. Soon, Zach and I connected with TRiP in Santa Monica. The owner gave us the first Monday in November and said we could keep all door proceeds. If it was a successful night at the bar, we could have all first Mondays from there on out. We’re now gearing up for our seventh Monday show at TRiP, on May 2^nd!  We’ve also become partners with the Paul G. Gleason Theater in Hollywood: A blackbox that provides for a more traditional type of performance.

Our roster of artists grows exponentially with every show. We now have solo musicians, full bands, comics, improvisers, burlesque dancers, hula-hoopers, performance poets and visual artists who exhibit their work in silent auction. One of my favorite finds has been a guy who goes by “Professor Pit,” whose talent is playing the harp while beat-boxing.

At every show, we set up a bazaar table displaying all kinds of crafts and goods for sale,

Bazaar table packed with goods.

after all, one man’s trash, as they say…  We’ve also instated an open music jam that starts half an hour before the official performances. Anyone and everyone is welcome to pick up a guitar, tambourine, djembe or panflute and create some collective music.

Most Americans have been instilled with the belief that you need to be schooled in music to play music, you need to take art classes in order to paint, and, of course, that white people can’t dance. We tend to forget that music dissipates as soon as it’s played, any pattern can be painted over, and dancing is fun no matter how goofy you look. Creativity is not something you’ll be graded on. All art is disposable, mistakes are fun and funny – especially when you’re drinking beer and hanging out with great folks.

Dancing is always encouraged. - Photo by Sharrel Paul

In a city so apparently driven by the desires for profit and celebrity, Art Bazaar has drawn in dozens of artists who are there purely for the joy of expression and creation. At nearly every show, an audience member or new artist remarks to me that this event doesn’t feel like it belongs in Los Angeles. “It’s got a [New York] [London] [Austin] [Portland] [insert other artsy city here] feel,” they say.

Au contraire! Art Bazaar was born in Los Angeles, and it proves that our city is not populated merely by plastic cards and plastic people.  Turns out Los Angeles has a truly creative heart. - Lysandra Petersson

You can find Art Bazaar on the web at www.facebook.com/artbazaarla. But to really understand it, check out a show! First Monday of every month at TRiP, 2101 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA; and sometime in the third week of every month at the Paul G. Gleason Theater, 6520 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA.

Vindictive Vin

Greetings! My name is Vindictive Vin and it is not a pseudonym. In fact, it is another facet of my complex and obsessive compulsive personality. I am here to answer questions about life, love and relationships. Why? Because I can. Make no mistake, I’m a nice guy. And yes, that was a stolen shot. And yes, I love California. Yes, I am back for no apparent reason and will be gone again just in time for the afternoon break. Got a problem with that?

If you have L.A. dilemmas, send me your questions at dr.joint665@gmail.com or STC editor, lori@survivethecity.com.

Dear Vindictive Vin,

I need some advice regarding my neighbor. She’s an older lady who lives alone.  Every morning around 6 a.m., I hear her open her closet (which backs up to my bedroom). Then, she turns on some sort of machine that makes a low-pitched humming noise. I don’t know if it’s a fan, a steam cleaner, massage chair or what exactly, but it makes the most annoying sound! I knocked on her door to inquire about the noise and she completely denied it. Yet, every morning, like clockwork, the noise begins, and then it shuts off right before I hear her leave her apartment. I don’t want to interrogate her too much; there’s only so much confrontation I can put up with. She’s a simple, kind lady who has probably decided she’s going to live and die in this apartment. Fact is, if she doesn’t stop annoying me, she just might.  Help!

~Tormented Tenant

There is nothing more shameful and unpleasant than trying to deal with an old lady. You want to be respectful and cordial at all times, but like the clutch pedal in a Nissan Maxima – it just doesn’t work. You said it yourself. The old lady denied the incidence of said ruckus despite your desperate plea. What should an educated and well-rounded citizen do in a situation like this?

If you happen to live in an apartment complex or condo, you can talk to the building administrator about the problem. If you don’t mind looking like a heartless fool and being the source of ridicule to all the employees inside the administrative office (rest assured that the rubbernecks are all preachers and followers of all the latest building gossip) then go ahead and air your complaint. I dare you to try.

There is a more civilized way to deal with this problem. Whatever that machine may be, we are pretty sure that it is run by electricity (unless the old lady pioneers in Cold Fusion or something.) First, deal with the cabinet problem. I have two words for you: Ear Plugs. They will not only isolate outside noise, but will help keep your ears cleaner, too. Just don’t forget to wake up when the fire alarm goes on.

At this point, the ear plugs would have been enough to isolate your tired and

Oops! (wink)

wretched soul from the daily Grandma assault. Want to get rid of the machine? Try sabotage. Grab some good coffee and put it in a pot along with some nice desserts. Knock on Grandma’s door and invite yourself in for some 6 a.m. coffee. Look for the source of the noise and pretend to spill the entire pot of coffee directly on the machine. Pretend to be perplexed and eternally sorry for the incident. Explain to Grandma that you will get the useless-piece-of-annoying-noisy-shit contraption fixed even though it is still working. Grab the appliance, run out the door in a hurried manner, enter your apartment, grab the biggest hammer you can find and repeatedly pound on the machine with all your might until it turns into a useless heap of crap. Then shout “let me see you make some noise now motherf**er!!”

Turn on your computer (or head to the nearest Internet café… you sorry piece of sh*t) and log on to eBay or Amazon. Find a replacement machine that is quieter and more state-of-the-art and give grandma the present. Note: If we are talking about a sewing machine then good luck pounding the sucker with a hammer, let alone rushing out the door in a hurried manner. Better settle for the ear plugs instead.

Send me an email via Dr.Joint665@gmail.com or follow me via facebook! I would love to hear your comments, queries, suggestions or similar advice.  Until then, stay civilized and try to stay out of trouble.

Sometimes you feel you need to, bomp bomp, get away. We all do. While our precious LaLa land (that’s an official name now) has much to offer as far as entertainment, art, shows and nightlife, we still want to leave the hustle and bustle of HollyHood and go on an adventure. The worst and worst part of any trip is the packing and unpacking.

Guilty?

I’ll admit I’m part of the try-to-jam-everything-I-own-into-one-suitcase-even-if-I-have-to-sit-on-it-to-close-it club. Because what if I really need those tan sandals? And that new maxi dress isn’t gonna wear itself. In addition, I’m also guilty of re-packing clean clothes and not wearing half of what I intended. It happens. Generally, we like our “stuff” and it’s hard to part with. (Thank god, otherwise there wouldn’t be quality television like Hoarders and Hoarders: Buried Alive.) However, the point of trips is to escape, and you certainly can’t escape a 55-pound piece of polyester containing a week’s worth of under-roos, tanks and various vacation gear, so we must learn to pack efficiently. Since I’ve already admitted I’m not the best at the packing game, I might reference the experts on a few of our tips below. And I should add, while I may not use safe packing techniques all the time, I do have the knowledge.

Think Before Packing

Take a few minutes to ponder your upcoming trip and fashion needs. Think about the destination and even hit the web to check out sites such as weather.com to know what you are getting into. Also, consider how you will get from the airport to the hotel or where you are going to have to lug your bags. Do you need a formal outfit? Do you need running or athletic shoes? Pausing before you pull out the suitcase is the first step to efficiency.

Get Solid Luggage

While that Hello Kitty pink suitcase might be calling your name, you might want to stick to the basics and trusted names in luggage brands. According to prolificliving.com, investing in one piece of smart, durable luggage is essential to packing right. A bag with compartments and tough material is best.

Write It Down

Making a list is the best way to do many things in life. Granted, I’m a girl with lists

Get organized!

of lists, but it’s time and energy-saving to glance at a sheet and know right where you are in the packing process. Fodors.com says in a survey that, “29 percent of respondents said they make lists at least one week before a trip.” And while the list is great for packing to go, it’s also handy for making sure you didn’t leave anything behind on the return. If only I’d made a list on last trip to Mammoth, my precious blue Snuggie wouldn’t be in some stank hotel room in Bishop.

Play Favorites

According to your destination and itinerary, pick out your favorite appropriate clothes. Lots of walking? Don’t forget your Pumas. A fancy dinner calls for your favorite LBD (or LBS, that’s little black suit for the fellas). With your favorite clothes in tow, you won’t feel the panic of something fitting ill or not being ideal. Also, consider packing in layers. Often climates will differ, so be prepared for a little bit of anything. Stick to a few color combos to reduce the number of shoes and belts you will need to bring. But while you’re are at it, bring a scarf or accessory that could change the look of your outfit, but be minimal to pack.

Rollin’ in the Suitcase

When putting items into the suitcase or bag, think about how to utilize the space. Shoes and things that can get wrinkled should go first. Pack dedicates in a small bag, and use minimal space for toiletries. Think about what you really use daily in the bathroom, and what you can purchase at your location. No need to bring full size  bottles and call ahead to see if they have a hairdryer. The rest of your clothes can be rolled to prevent wrinkles and make the most use of space. If you haven’t rolled your clothes before, check out this Youtube video for help.

Wear the Heavy Stuff

Wear winter gear to save space.

Cold weather calls for trench coats. Yeah, coming from SoCal it’s great to rub it in that you came from our fabulous warm weather, but getting trench out of your bag is gonna be a pain. Just rock it on the plane and use it as a comfy blanket. Saves space and time when getting to your destination.

Try not to stress the trip packing dilemmas. C’mon, you are going on vacation and it’s gonna be awesome. Keeping things organized while you are there will help you get everything back into your bag, and keep losses minimal. Now, pack it up, pack it in, let me begin…..

- Lori Bartlett

When the man gets you down and those 12 hour work days leave little to no time to do your otherwise typical daily tasks, there are steps to take to ensure you can get everything done to maintain some sense of sanity. I’m not talking about grabbing a Subway $5 footlong (though they are delicious) and hoping that your underwear is clean enough, I’m talking time to tackle those daily tasks, making some real food and having underoos as fresh as a daisy. It’s not possible, you say? Well, you can’t conquer the world in a day, but making sure the plants are watered and the kitten is fed will still give you a sense of accomplishment. So, take your fingers off the keyboard long enough to read these tips:

Tip #1 – Eat a Hearty and Nutrient Rich Breakfast

Actually o.k. for breakfast.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, we know it’s the oldest tale in the book. But there is something to the whole starting your day right. According to the folks over at everydayhealth.com, eating breakfast gives you a physical boost and mental advantage. In their article, Susan Kraus, a registered dietitian, says you can eat anything from a smoothie or waffles and fruit to smoked salmon or pizza. Yes, pizza for breakfast! How bad could it be to pause for a slice? And taking time to eat breakfast means not having to bail for a snack mid-morning, and being more efficient in the morning.

Tip #2 – Schedule Drop Offs and Pick Ups on  Your Way.

You’re on your way to work, but you know you have nothing for dinner, and

Make sure you have clean pants and under-roos.

stopping after work is so taxing. The simple solution is to keep a cooler in your car. Pop by Vons in the a.m. and save the trip after when the lines are longer and more tedious. Drop your drying cleaning at the a place by your office, and pick it up the next morning. And if you don’t have time for any of that, hire someone! Check out a company like California Concierge who will run those errands for you. Personally, I tackle one task everyday and make a schedule of it. Mondays are for grocery shopping and an easy dinner. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are for one load of laundry each night. Thursdays, I either cook a bulk dinner or clean up the house. That leaves Friday and the week free to par-ty. Taking on one task per day makes in manageable.

Another service site that is available and might be able to help you tackle some tasks and not break the bank is Fiverr. Fiverr is a marketplace of people listing things they will do for 5 smack-er-roos. Some things may not be so helpful such as ,”I will teach you to push a coin through a glass table magically for $5.” Yet, others, such as “I will do voiceover work for your video or site for 1 minute for $5,” is something that might come in handy.

Tip #3 – Keep Up on Current Events.

Just because work is consuming your brain, doesn’t mean you should be uninformed of current events. Clients and co-workers will laugh when you say, “What? There is something going on in the middle east?” And while we know you can’t be tuned into Anderson Cooper’s dreamy eyes all day, you can catch the highlights. Most of the cable news networks have a 30 minute round-up of the latest news which should make you enough in the know. Or, check out assigmenteditor.com, a site that has all the news sources you could need at a click.

Tip #4 – Do It Right the First Time.

While all the chaos swimming in your dome may make you a little frantic, keep cool and do your job right. Obviously, they given you more responsibility and it must be for good reason. Don’t flub it up by getting crazy with the cheese whiz. Take your time, breathe, and do it right the first time. Single rounds save time of tedious projects.

Tip #5 – Turn Day Wear into Evening Wear.

Throwing on a great pair of heels will take an outfit from day to night.

Ladies, we know the tricks. Carrying some evening wear clothes in your car in case of an impromptu client meeting or even a date. You can run and pick up that dry cleaning on your way to the meet-up without stopping by the casa. Throwon some funky accessories, and change up your footwear. Let the hair loose and amp up the eye make-up and BINGO, you are date ready. Fellas – depending on your night time options, throw a trendy T in the car and some stylish slip-on sneeks. If a lady comes a calling, you can rock a suit jacket with that T-shirt and sneakers for a laid back, yet classy look. No one will know what you do between work and meeting up out, so make the most of that gap and finish any errands you might have.

Tip #6 – Practice the Two-Minute Clean-up

Get that messy desk in order and keep it that way with some simple cleaning tips. The folks over at the housekeepingchannel.com give 10 quick steps for desk clean-up. And a clean desk will give you peace of mind to go on with your day.

Have a time saving tip we didn’t think of? We’d love to hear it. List your tips in the comments. – Lori Bartlett

You’ve seen it again and again in the movies; some warriors are all about the win, others are about the strategy, and then some warriors are all about the outfits….err, amour… but all warriors are about the beer (victory or not). That’s why when Red Frog Events started advertising for the Warrior Dash in Lake Elsinore on April 2 & 3, me and my warrior buddies were quick to enlist. We know deep in our hearts that while Richard Gere may trump us in a game of passion and treason, our Knights of the Bar Table would slay him in a race through fire and rubbage to get to our veiled beauties.

Warrior preparation.

But being thirsty for beer and a vengeance isn’t enough – one needs to prepare for the hellish course of fire, mud, climbing and scrambling for our glory – and decide what exactly that means to you. There are many different ways to measure your wins at the Dash: Most ridiculous costume, best warrior beard, top three participants by age group and by overall participants. My personal achievement will be making it across that finish line (at any pace) and earning that moment that a cold beer first touches my blushing lips. Ahhh… success will be mine.

Warriors race through mud and fire.

But I’m not settling up before I start – there is definitely preparation at hand. My team’s first order of warrior business was coordinating outfits. We then appointed our cheerleaders, and lastly pushed the limits on our physical endurance and alcohol tolerance. (Note: The order of which each group prepares will vary; our group just so happens to be semi-athletic, 100% heavy metal, avid beer drinkers that love a challenge.) If you get a chance to have one, working with a team to prep for battle is a blast. Why trust a stranger to tell you if you have mud and grass stuck in your teeth when you could trust a friend?

We will be showing up early to get situated and possibly set-up our campgrounds for the night. We caught wind that there’s a place we can post up for the rest of the day so we don’t have to drive our warhorses home after such an exhausting day of charging, racing and boozing.

If you’re up for the challenge, we’ll see you on the battlefield! Have no fear of getting dirt in your kilts, friends. We don’t know what’s in store for us, but then – who really does when they go into battle?

“…I know you can fight. But it’s our wits that make us men.” – William Wallace

Check out and register for the event at: http://www.warriordash.com/register2011_socal.php – Maux Gitto

Bust out your calendars and pens, and get ready to mark down the must-know L.A. events in the upcoming months. While you may not go to all of them or even have an interest in all of them, it’s good to know what’s going on in town. I guarantee a few of these will not only tie up the time of your friends, but also traffic and travel. Without further ado, check out the highlights of L.A. Spring:

March

Sunday, the 13th - Daylight Savings Time Begins

Remember to “spring forward” this Sunday and look forward to sunlight lasting longer into the evening, and sleeping in with less birds chirping.

Thursday, the 17th – St. Patrick’s Day

Throw back some brews and feel the luck of the Irish. Erin go bragh!

Recognize the patron saint of Ireland by tossing back a few at the pub. The St. Patty’s Fest is just one of the Hollywood St. Pat’s events with plenty of good brews and green attire.

Saturday and Sunday, the 19th – 20th – L.A. Times Travel and Adventure Show

Discover new adventures and hear about exotic travel from the experts. Tickets for the L.A. Times Travel and Adventure Show are $12 with the event held at the Convention Center.

Sunday, the 20th – L.A. Marathon

The 26th year for the annual race where runners go from Dodger Stadium to the Santa Monica Pier. For more information on joining, cheering or just avoiding traffic, check out the L.A. Marathon link.

April

Friday, the 1st – Opening Day at Dodger Stadium

Take me out to the ballgame...for Dodger Dogs!

The boys in blue take to the diamond to kick off the season. In the opener, they play the San Fransisco Giants. The Opening Day fest includes Friday night fireworks.

Saturday, the 9th – L.A. Beer Fest

The annual event is at Sony Studios. Visitors to Beer Fest get 3 hours to down as many tiny tasty glasses of brew as they can with live music and food vendors galore.

Friday, the 22nd – Earth Day

Los Angeles is laden with a heavy earth conscience and hippy crowd, so Earth Day matters. Check out the multitude of clean, green events here.

Saturday, the 30th – The Doo Dah Parade

This annual eclectic event garners all kinds of attention for it’s interesting mix of show and spectacle.  Check out what the Doo Dah Parade is all about and see their route.

Saturday and Sunday, the 30th – 1st – L.A. Times Festival of Books

This literary paradise is held at USC for FREE. For more information on parking and about the event, see the L.A. Times site here.

May

Sunday, May 8th – Fiesta Broadway

Nearly 24 blocks of downtown L.A. play host to a throng of people. Though the celebration is for the previous Thursday, Cinco de Mayo, it is held yearly on a Sunday.

Sunday, May 15th – Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest

On the legendary Paramount ranch, 3 stages host a number of contests and concerts. The Contest also has booths of folk art and goods.

June

Friday, the 17th - Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl

Celebrate opening night with Harry Connick, Jr.

The classic L.A. icon opens the season with a concert featuring Harry Connick, Jr. Grab the snacks and the wine for a lovely night under the stars.

Thursday – Sunday, the 17th – 26th – Los Angeles Film Festival

Attracting thousands of guests each year, the Film Fest is a tribute to film making and the silver screen.

This is just a sampling of all our illustrious city has to offer for the spring. We failed to mention beaches, hikes, bike rides, wine tours, holidays and everything in between. When you really think about it, despite the traffic and the big city aspects, Randy Newman had it right. I love L.A. – Lori Bartlett

Whether it’s cold where you are, or just need a change of pace, we all need to escape from time to time. And whether it’s a debaucherous stint in Cancun or a relaxing family vacay to the land of Mickey, booking travel can be hectic, stressful and expensive. Luckily, we did the leg work for you and came up with a list of top tips when planning an escape.

Booking Flights

Book on Tuesdays for the best rates.

Leaving on a jet plane costs a pretty penny these days, and especially now that gas prices are expected to increase yet again with the turmoil in the Mid-East. However, there are a few tricks to help you get the most fair fare. According to USA Today, plan to book early, but not too early. The ideal time frame is about 21 days in advance.

Booking online is the most common method today, and the fares are rumored to be best on Tuesdays. Rates are typically highest on weekends when more traffic hits the travel sites. To get a quick idea of cost, first try sites such as SideStep and Kayak to compare a host of the popular travel sites in one go. Bing.com/travel also has a fare predictor that while not perfect, can give some good perimeters to cost. Also, sign up for fare alerts on any site that offers for your destination.

Another money saving idea (if you can wait and take the risk) is to get in on last minute deals. The major travel sites such as Expedia and Travelocity may have deals as the date approaches. Also check LastMinuteTravel.com for more affordable options.

Yet, another path to try when frantic for cheap fare is to check out one way tickets. In some cases, one way tickets are cheaper to popular destinations. June through August is peak flying time, so it will be more difficult to snag cheaper fare during this time no matter what you do. Of course, if you can get a credit card that accrues miles or join a frequent flyer program, you are one step ahead of the their game.

Booking Hotels

Auction and blind sites offer huge discounts on hotels. With Priceline.com, you tell

Blind deals are often deeply discounted.

the site  when and where you want to go, and what price you are willing to pay. Usually in a short time, you will get a response as the whether you offer was accepted. Granted, your credit card will be charged without your knowledge of the particulars, but you will get your price.

Hotwire.com has offers on hotels that are blind. You can see the star rating and approximate location, but not the hotel name. Yet, these are usually great deals on decent hotels particularly in hot destinations such as Vegas and New York.

Signing up on sites like TripAdvisor and Travelzoo, gives you the inside knowledge on some killer deals, as well. If you can handle the spam, sign up for every travel site you can. They really do produce deals you may not see otherwise.

Getting Around and Things to Do

If you are going somewhere with much to do, check out Craigslist for people selling tickets to events or parks. StubDog.com and Ticketmania have discounted tickets for select cities.

For a cheaper car rental, it’s usually best to avoid renting at the airport. See if your hotel can shuttle you from the airport and go to a local rental agency. Or, if you plan to use public transportation, check out HopStop for transit times and directions.

The journey to get to your dream destination can be a frustrating one. If money is no object, well the world is your oyster. But for us working class sclubs, we will keep our eyes peeled for the reduce rate “bing.” – Lori Bartlett

Networking may even land you on a reality show.

True Story: (Sung like that cowboy guy from The Real World: Los Angeles…and if you are too young to remember that, then you should really keep reading.) The other day I witnessed an interesting event take place on Facebook. It all went down like this:

(Names have been masked, not for protection, just for fun.)

Hot RedHead posts, “Do I know anyone in L.A. that has vocal music recording equipment?”

Response from Buff Brunette Babe, “Blonde-y McGee’s husband does. Have you two been introduced?”

Hot RedHead states, “I don’t believe we have crossed paths.”

And through a little tagging magic, Buff Brunette Babe hooks Hot RedHead up with Blonde-y McGee  (and, thus, her husband and his equipment… audio equipment, you perv’s.) And BOOM, what we have here is a genuine, bona fide L.A. connection. Networking is just that simple, friends.

We all know the Kevin Bacon game, and in L.A., it works much the same in networking. Everyone knows someone, and the longer you live here, the more someones you know. Until you become a Kevin Bacon yourself, and have this town rigged like a well-oiled dancing machine.

But you can’t just jump from Animal House to Mystic River without making those important  stops

We all really want to be Kevin Bacon.

at Footloose and Apollo 13 (and why would you?). What I’m saying is that networking can’t be done in a day. It builds it over time. But you have to start somewhere, and why waste anymore time doing that bit role on Guiding Light? (Bacon did it. Thanks, IMDB.)

The first way to network is to start before you move to L.A. (If you are already here, get to it and make up for lost time.) Pick 3 friends you know in the city, and send them a letter requesting that they please forward it to anyone they know that might be able to get you an “in” somewhere in your field. So, what goes in the letter, you ask? Here’s a few things to include:

1. Explain your situation.

While you definitely don’t want to come off desperate, explain that you are moving to Los Angeles in the near future and that you are eager to jump right into the business. Talk a little about your background and why you love the field. Don’t run down a full resume, but just hit a few high points and appeal at a personal level. Be honest, and a bit entertaining.

2. Don’t send a resume.

At this point, you are basically cold calling. People hate solicitors. If you begin with the business, you will lose them. Just state a brief introduction to who you are and where you are from. Then go into why you want to work in the field. Finally, close with your aspirations for the next few years. Be realistic, and explain that you are ready to start at the bottom and work your way up.

3. Offer to meet with them.

At the end of the introduction letter, state that you would love to set up an informative meeting. Also, that if they are interested in meeting you, that you can submit a cover letter and resume. Make sure to leave plenty of relevant contact information. Essentially, you are looking to send one giant business card. Get your name out there, and hope for the best.

Help us, help you.

Now, let’s say you don’t have 3 friends in L.A. Here’s when STC is here for you. Send your introduction letter to either heather@survivethecity.com or lori@survivethecity.com and we will do our best to forward it on to at least one person in your industry. That’s right…we are talking 9 years of collective resources in L.A., and we will hook you up for FR-double-E. Just say that you read it on STC…hey, we have to network too. – Lori Bartlett